Calls for a rethink over the relaxation of speed limits

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The Transport Secretary refused to be drawn on whether the M5 crash would prompt a review of plans to increase the speed limitTimes photographer, Paul Rogers

Transport Correspondent

Published at 12:01AM, November 7 2011

The worst motorway crash in a generation should act as a wake-up call to the
Government, which has let road safety slip off its agenda, experts said.

Ministers should roll out variable speed limits across the motorway network,
they said. Some favour the adoption of laws similar to those in France,
where speed limits of 130kph (81mph) are reduced to 110kph in wet weather.

Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary, refused to be drawn yesterday on
whether the M5 crash would prompt a review of government plans to increase
the speed limit to 80mph. “I am sure there will be a